Will the ships return?

May 08, 2007 12:00 am

Lady Washington gunner Kyle Bruner fires the one-pound swivel gun, which historically would shoot a one-pound ball of lead, during the ship's arrival in Crescent City last Tuesday. (The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson).

By Thea Skinner

Triplicate staff writer

The Tall-Masted Ships Celebration that ended Sunday was a success, but organizers agree some details need to be worked out for the event to continue.

"For the first year, it was remarkably successful," Harbormaster Richard Young said. "You can always learn. It was a great event. Lots of people came out and the community pitched in."

Attendance numbers for the six-day event were not immediately available.

The ship's stay benefited the community and Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority, which owns the ships.

"The community has been great to work with. We got a great response," said Tom Hyde, spokesperson for Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority.

A major detail to be worked out is ensuring the harbor is deep enough to contain the boats.

"The harbor's capacity will be the biggest influencing issue on whether or not we come back," said Captain Evil' Ryan Meyer of the Lady Washington, one of the tall ships that visited Crescent City.

Young agreed that the harbor will need to be dredged.

"He (Meyer) indicated that the inner harbor is fine," Young said. "The problem he had is between the number 11 buoy and the field dock. We are having problems there, too. It is a shallow spot and a federal channel. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are responsible for the upkeep. We need to continue to work with our senators to get money for dredging."

He indicated that dredging will affect the amount of commerical fishing fleets in the harbor.

The tall ships brought visitors to Crescent City, and the ships left with a larger crew.

The Lady Washington crew acquired 12 new trainees and the Hawaiian Chieftain gained six from Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash., while here.

First Mate John Morrison will train the newly hired crew.

"People come here to learn," Meyer said. "We are trying to get more people and money for the ship."

Battle maneuvers are a part of the maritime heritage that Morrison will pass on to the new crewmembers.

"There are books on traditional battles but not on brigs," the type of ship Lady Washington is, Meyer said.

Morrison describes the teachings of battle moves in terms of a chess game.

"It's like a person memorizing your moves and using them against you," he said.

Reach Thea Skinner at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it